Cal loses a starter

Starting fullback Eric Stevens became the first casualty of fall camp when he tore the ACL in his right knee in Wednesday’s practice. He will be out for the season, coach Jeff Tedford announced after practice on Thursday.

“The guy put so much hard work into this,” Tedford said. “He’s such a great kid, so committed to the team. It’s unfortunate.”

Senior Will Kapp now moves into the starting fullback position, a job he held a year ago until he became injured in fall camp and Stevens took over.

Stevens is a junior who previously burned a redshirt year in 2008. He has one year of eligibility remaining but Cal will see if he qualifies for a sixth year as a medical redshirt.

Defensive tackle Aaron Tipoti will be out a while as he experiences post-concussion symptoms. “His was pretty serious,” Tedford said, and I have to agree after seeing the young man after practice on Tuesday when a hit in a no-contact drill rendered him woozy.

Wide receiver Matt Bouza will return in three weeks following surgery on a broken finger. Left tackle Mitchell Schwartz is close to returning to full practice after aggravating a hamstring.